Automobile traffic-signal.



S. E. GILBERT.

AUTOMOBILE TRAFFIC SIGNAL.

APPLICATION FILEDJUNE a0. 1916.

1,266,454. Patented Mayl l, 1918.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

Paiiented May 14, 1918.

2 $HEET$ $HEET 2 SAMUEL E. GILBERT, 0F PORTLAND, OREGON.

AUTOMOBILE TRAFFIC-SIGNAL.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 141, 191$.

Application filed June 30, 1916. Serial No. 106,990.

larly to do-with an improved form of semaphore' signal arm by means of which the driver of an automobile may transmit selected signals to pedestrians or other automobiles.

The main object of my invention .is to provide an improved form of signal arm, adapted to night illumination, which may be readily placed. in operative state by the driver of an automobile, the function of the arm being to indicate that a turn or stop is to be made. If the automobile is operating as a -bus, the signal may also be set so as to indicate such fact. It is further the object of my invention to so arrange this arm as to permit its use at night, either as a signal arm or as a side light for the automobile.

The features of my invention are fully shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a fragmental rear elevation of the windshield and dashboard of an automobile, showing my signaling devices installed thereon and so positioned as to signal that the automobile is to turn to the right;"

Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional detail taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a section on the line 33 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a; diagram of the signal electric lighting system; 4

Fig. 5 is a vertical section of the left hand signal, showing it positioned for serving as a side light;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view on the line 6-6 of Fig. 7

Fig. 7 is a horizontal section of the parts shown in Fig. 5; and

Fig. 8 is a plan view of the right-hand signal.

The dashboard of the automobile is represented by a, b is the wind-shield, and c, c are the wind-shield supporting standards. Assuming that the automobile is a lefthand drive, the left signal arm A will be so located that the driver can reach it' directly from his seat, while ,the right hand signal arm B is operated by auxiliary control devices. Obviously, this arrangement would be reversed on a right-hand drive automobile. Each signal arm comprises a tube d, pivotally mounted on a stud e, of a base clamp f, the latter adapted for attachment to the wind-shield standards 0. The extremities of this tube are provided with caps fore and rear openings '5, shaped as an arrow, and the other end is provided with oblong openings j, said openings are closed b transparent material, such as isinglass, pre erably colored red. An electric-light bulb is is mounted in the cap 9, and a conduit Z carries the conductors m to an entrance opening n, located near the center of rotat1on of the arm. The lights is in the two signals are connected in series as shown in Fig. 4, the energizing element being indicated by 0, and a control switch by p. This circuit is closed only for night driving. Normally, the light from-the bulb is would illuminate both openings 2', j, but I provide an automatic shutter g which excludes the light from the openings 11 when the arm is in certain positions. This shutter g is pivoted on a pintle r, and is weighted on one side, as

- g, it. One end is provided with companion shown by 8, see Fig. 5. In this way,'when the arm points out, the shutter will open until the weighted side rests upon the stud e, and the arrows will be illuminated, as in Fig. 8. When, however, the arm points inwardly, the openings j only will be illuminated, and will serve as night lights.

In the signal arm A is a stud made with an extension 6, and the pintle r with an extension r'. The base clamp f is provided with a plurality of arcuate holes t (see Fig. 6) with which the pintle extension 4" is adapted to engage, so as to lock the arm in any position to which adjusted. A compression coil-spring a, encircling the stud extension 6, acts to hold these parts in such as to place the signal in any position ole-l sired, whereupon the device will automatically lock itself in such position.

The signal B is operated in a similar manner, but from a point of control located nearer the driver. For this signal, a bracket w is mounted on the dashboard a. Slidably and rotatably mounted in said bracket 10 is a shaft :12, havingfixed on one end a lever arm w and on the other end a handle knob m The handle :0 is provided with a stud m and a member to of the bracket is made with a plurality of arcuate holes 'w with which the stud m is adapted to engage. A compression coil-spring y normally holds the device in the position shown in Fig. 2. A lever arm 2 is fixed on the tube 0! of the signal arm B, and a link a connects the lever arms w and a; In this Way, an opera tion of the handle knob w? will transmit corresponding motion to the signal B.

It'will thus be seen that the driver may readily set the signalsto any selected position, and such signals will indicate clearly the intention of the driver.

I claim;

1. An auto signaling device comprisinga pivoted tube having transparent openings at its ends, an illuminating element in said tube, and a weighted shutter adapted to permit all of the openings to be illuminated when the tube is in certain positions, and to exclude light from certain of the openings when the tube is in other positions.

2. An auto signaling device comprising a pivoted tube having transparent openings at its ends, an illuminating element in said tube, a weighted shutter adapted to permit all of the openings to be illuminated when the tube is in certain positions and to exclude light from certain of the openings when the tube is in other positions, and con-' trolling means for setting and locking the signalvin any selected position.

SAMUEL E. GILBERT. 

